Current-motor.



Patented Oct. 21,1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Attorneysm H m m \N m W m \fi %,N N NM I 5 a, N o o a .W W h F. H. GRAGO. CURRENT MOTOR. APPLICATION FILED AUG; 29, 1912. 1,076,1 02.

APH cm, WASHINGTON. B. 6.

Witnesses F. H. GRAGO. CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29, 1912. I 1,076,102, 7 Patented 0012.21, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses if Inventor,

y I 7 I Attorneys OLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH couimsnmm'ou, u. c.

P. H. GRAGO. CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29; 1912.

Patented 0013.21, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

1 fil W bL M v 0 J dfi J V a o 7 0M? z 7; w a 0Q. 99 z D/Va 3 7 ZZZ lnventdr,

V I I Witnesses Attorneys COLUMBIA'PMNOQIAPH C0.,WASHINGTON n c FELIX. n.- GRAGO, or TRIDENT, MONTANA;

CURRENT-MOTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Applicationfiled August 29, 1912.

Patented Oct. 21, 1918. Serial No. 717,804.

ToaZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FELIX H. Cnaco, a citizen of the United States, residing at Trident, in the county of Gallatin and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Current-Motors, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a current motor having means of novel form for receiving the impact of the current, novel mechanism being provided for moving said means vertically with respect to the line of flow of the current.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for operatively connecting a pair of reciprocating members which receive the impact of the current.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel mechanism for transmitting power from the means which receives the impact of the current, to the mechanism to 'be driven.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings,-Figure 1 shows the invention in top plan; Fig. 2 is a side elevation; Fig. 8 is a side elevation showing a modified form of the invention; and Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing a still further modification.

In carrying out the invention, and .referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is provided a float, of any desired form, and denoted generally by the numeral 1. If desired, the float 1 may comprise'side pontoons 2 and an intermediate pontoon 8, the pontoons 2 and 8 being connected by end sills 4 and 5, and by an intermediate sill 6. At this point it may be stated that the float 1 may be of any desired length, so as to accommodate any number of themechanisms to be set forth hereinafter. Platforms 7, extending fore and aft, connect the sills 6 and 5, the platforms 7 being located between the pontoons 2 and 8. Supported by the intermediate pontoon 8, and located at a point remote from the bow of the float 1 is a pair of standards 8, provided at their tops with bearings 9. The bearings 9 support, a shaft 10 which upholds tilt-ably a walking beam 11 disposed athwa-rt of the float 1. To each end of the walking beam 11, a pair of pivotally united links 12 are swiveled, the lower ends of the links 12 be ing pivotally connected, each, with a lever frame 14, which will be described in detail. The lever frame 14 may be of any desired form, but, as shown, is a composite structure, comprising a cross bar 15, to which the links 12 are immediately pivoted, there being side bars 16 connected with the cross bar 15. Adjacent their forward ends, the side bars 16 converge as indicated at 17, and between the converging ends of the side bars 16 is bound an intermediate bar 18, the rear end of which is connected with the cross bar 15. Each of the lever frames 14 above described is supported by a shaft 20, the ends of which are upheld by posts 19 which may be connected with the intermediate sill 6. Secured to the intermediate bars 18 of the frames 14, adjacent the forward ends of the intermediate bars, are cams which are of like construction. For convenience in describing the operation of the structure, however, one cam is denoted specifically by the numeral 21 and the other cam is denoted by the numeral 22. Each cam comprises parallel edges 28 and 24, and curved end edges 25 and 25 which are conveXed in opposite directions. A wheel 26 is adapted to ride around the periphery of the cam 21, and another wheel 27 is adapted to ride around the periphery of the cam 22. The wheels 26 and 27 are supported for rotation upon rock arms 28, the lower ends of which are pivotally supported, as indicated at 29, upon the platforms 7. The side bars of the lever frames 14 are connected, adjacent their rear ends, by rods 80, upon which the hangers 81 are mounted to swing, the hangers supporting, at their lower ends, blades 82, each of which is provided with an overhang 88, braced as 4 indicated at 84. Links 85 are pivoted as shown at 86 to the blades 82, the forward ends of the links 85 being pivoted as shown at'87, to rack bars 88 and 88, the teeth of the rack bar 88 facing upwardly, and the teeth of the rack bar 88 facing downwardly. The rack bars 88 and 88* are pivoted as indicated at 89, to the rock arms 28. At this point it may be noted that the rock arms 28 are equipped with a plurality of openings 40.

These openings 40 afford an adjustable con nection between the rackbars 38 and 38 and the rock arms 28, and also afford a means whereby the wheels 26 and 27 inay be adjusted along the respective rock arms.

Supported for-rotation upon the posts 19, or

upheld in any other desired manner by the float 1 is a drive shaft 41, provided intermediate its ends with a crank 42, operatively connected with a pitman 43, which serves to operate a pump Secured to the drive shaft 41 is a sprocket wheel 45, about which trained a sprocket chain 46- It is to be understood that the general structure hereinbefore described, may be duplicated, andunder such circumstances, the sprocket chain 46 may be trained about another sprocket wheel 45 (not shown). Likewise, if desired, the pump structure 4344 may be dispensed with, the sprocket chain 46 being carried ashore, or to any other desired location, forthe purpose of operating mechas nism of any sort. Secured to thedrive shaft 41 are pinions 47. The rack bar 38 meshes into the lower portion ofthe periphery of one pinion 47 and the rack bar 38 meshes into the upper portion of the periphery of the other pinion 47. In order to hold the rack bars 38 and 38 engaged with'the respective pinions'47, flanged guide wheels 48 and 49 are provided, the guide wheels 48 and 49 being held for rotation upon supports 50 of any desired sort, the supports, if desired, being carried by the intermediate sill 6. The guide Wheel 48 bears upon the upper edge of the rack bar 38 and the guide wheel 49 bears upon the lower edge of the rack bar 38, as must be necessary, owing to the relative positions of the rack bars 38 and 38 and the pinions 47.

The operation of the device above described is as follows :Let it be supposed that the operator is facing the structure as shown in Fig. 2, the terms adjacent and remote beingselected accordingly. Under such circumstances, the current, flowing in the direction of the arrow, will impinge the adjacent blade 32and swing the same, together with the adjacent hangers 31 forwardly, with the shaft or rod 30 as a center. The adjacent blade 32 will exert a ppll upon the link 35, the link 35 drawing upon the rack bar 38, the rack bar 38 meshing into one pinion 47 and imparting rotation to the shaft 41, the crank 42 of which will actuate the pumping mechanism 43 and 44, the shaft 41' imparting rotation to the sprocket wheel 45-, the sprocket wheel 45 actuating the chain belt 46. The rack bar 38 willimpart swinging movement to the adjacent rock arm 28, the said arm 28 causing the wheel 27 to ride alongthe edges 25 and 24 of the cam 22. The adjacent lever frame 14 will thereupon .be tiltednpon the fulcrum 20, motion being imparted to the walking beam 11, and the remote lever frame 14 beingflactuated, ..so that the cam 21 will be depressed into the path of the wheel 26. lVheir' the remote lever frame 14 is tilted in the manner above described, the remote blade 32 will be elevated, and the elevation of the said remote frame 32 will be continued as the wheel 26 rides along the edges 25 and 23 of the. cam 21, the wheel 26 being then. disposed in theposition occupied by the .wheel 27 'in Fig. 2, and the wheel 27 being disposed .in' the position occupied by the wheel 26 in Fig.2. The shaft 41 when the same is actuated by the rack bar 38 will actuate the rack bar 38*, the same causing the wheel "26 :to cooperate with the cam 21 in the manner above described. It will be seen that when .the rack bars 38 and 38 are actuated falternatelyby the respective blades 32. and. connecting mechanism, the gear wheels. 47 will be rotated alternately, the shaft 41. being given rotation alternately in opposite directions.

In. Fig. 3 amodifie'd form of the invention is shown,..and it is to be understood, without further description that the structure shown in Fig. 3 isto be duplicated, and that the walking .beam. 11 is employed as before. In Fig. 3 there is showna float 51 carrying posts 52, braced as shown at 52, the posts 52 supporting a shaft 53 upon which is fulcrumed intermediate its ends a lever 54, the rear end of which is pivotally connected as indicated at 55 with the hangers 56, supporting blades 57 having overhangingportions 58 which are braced as shownat 59. Pivoted at 60 to the blade 57 is a link 61 which is pivotally connected at its forward end to a crank arm 62 formed upon the shaft 63 journaled upon :the posts 52. Journaled for rotation upon the crank arm 62.is a flanged wheel 64, adapted to ride along the upper edge of a tiltable member 65 fulcrumed at- 66 upon the float 51. The forward end of the tiltable member 65 is adjustably pivoted as indicated at 67 to a connecting rod 68, the upper end of which is adj ustably pivoted as indicated at 69 to the lever 54.

The operation of the device shown in Fig. 3 is as follows :V7hen the blade 57 and thehangers 56 swingrearwardly with the point 55 as a fulcrum, the link 61 will actuate the crank arm 62, motion being thus imparted to the shaft .63. At the same time, when the crankarm 62.swings, the wheel 64 willride along;tl1e upper edge of the tiltable member 65, .depressingthe rear end of the tiltable member and elevating. the forward. end of the tiltable member, the link 68 being elevated, .whereby the forward end of the lever 54 willbe elevated, andthe rear end ofthe lever 54will be depressed,

causing. a:lowering.of thebladev 57 into the of the machine, except that the crank arm 62 on the opposite side of the machine extends from the shaft 63 in an opposite direction to the crank arm 62 upon the side of the machine shown in the drawings. By this arrangement of parts, the blades 57 will be returned to their original positions. The lever 54, the link 68 and the tiltable member are actuated by the walking beam 11, in the manner hereinbefore set forth in connection with that form of invention which appears in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the modification shown in Fig. 4 there appears a float 70 provided with standards 71 supporting a walking beam 7 2 connected by links 73 with a lever 74: which is fulcrumed at 75 upon posts7 6 connected with the float 70. Hangers 77 and 78 are pivoted as indicated at 79 to the ends of the lever 7a, the hangers 77 and 78 carrying blades 80 and 81, respectively. The blade 81 is pivotally connected to a 'pitman '82 which is operatively united with a crank 83 formed upon a shaft 84: journaled on supports 76. The shaft 84 is equipped with another crank 85 which is operatively connected with a pitman 86, the same being pivotally connected with the blade 80. The shaft 84: carries a gear wheel 87 which meshes into a pinion 88 carried by a shaft 89 journaled on the supports 76, the shaft 89 being employed to transmit motion to the pump and other structures, in the manner hereinbefore set forth. Secured to the shaft 84: is a crank arm 90 carrying a grooved wheel 91 adapted to ride along a tiltable member 92 fulcrumed at 93 upon a post 94 which is braced as indicated at 95 to the float 70. The forward end of the tiltable member 92 is pivoted as shown at 96 to a link 97 which, in its turn, is adjustably pivoted as indicated at 98, to the forward end of the lever 74.

The operation of the structure above described is as follows z-VVhen the blades 80- and 81 are engaged with the current, the shaft 84 will be rotated through the medium of the pitmen 82 and S6 and the cranks 85 and 83, the ear wheel 87 being rotated, and rotatory motion being transmitted to the shaft 89 through the medium of the pinion 88. When the shaft 84 is rotated, the crank arm 90 will be actuated, the wheel 91 bearing upon the tiltable member 92, and swinging the same upon its fulcrum 93, motion being transmitted to the lever 74 through the medium of the link 97 The blades 80 and 81 will dip into the water alternately, each blade being lifted out of the water as its fellow enters the water and receives the impact of the current.

Referring to Fig. 2,-it will be understood that the links 12 may be folded together, and may be secured in folded position, when it is desired to elevate the current-engaging members 32 out of the stream.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is r 1. In a device of the class described, a float; a pair of levers fulcrumed intermediate their ends upon the float; a walking beam fulcrumed upon the float and con nected with the levers; a current-engaging member suspended from one end of each lever; and mechanism operatively connecting each current-engaging member with the other end of one lever for tilting the lever.

2. In a device of the class described, a float; a pair of levers fulcrumed intermediate their ends upon the float; a Walking beam fulcrumed upon the float and con1iected with the levers; a current-engaging member suspended from one end of each lever; tiltable members fulcrumed upon the float; means for operatively connecting each tiltable member with one lever to swing the same; and means for operatively connecting each tiltable member with one current-engaging member.

3. In a device of the class described, a float; a pair of levers fulcrumed intermediate their ends upon the float; a walking beam fulcrumed upon the float and connected with the levers; a currentengaging member suspended from one end of each lever; tiltable members fulcrumed on the float; means for operatively connecting each tiltable member with one lever; a link connected with each current-engaging member; and mechanisms for operatively connecting each link with one tiltable member.

4. In a device of the class described, a

float; a pair of levers fulcrumed intermediate their ends upon the float; a walking beam fulcrumed upon the float and connected with the levers; a currentengaging member suspended from one end of each lever; mechanism operatively connecting each current-engaging member wit-h the other end of one lever for tilting the lever; and a drive shaft journaled on the float, the drive shaft being actuable by said mechanism.

5. In a device of the class described, a float; a pair of levers fulcrumed intermediate their ends upon the float; a. walking beam fulcrumed on the float and connected with the levers; a current-engaging member suspended from one end of each lever; tiltable members fulcrumed on the float; means for operatively connecting each tiltable member with one lever; alink connected with each currentengaging member; mechanism for operatively connecting each link with one tiltable member; and a drive shaft j ournaled on the float; the drive shaft being operatively connected with said mechanism.

6. In a device of the class described, a float; a. pair of levers fulcrumed intermediat-e their ends upon the float; means for operatively connecting the levers at one end; acurrent-engaging member suspended from each lever adjacent the connecting means; and mechanism operatively connecting each current engaging member with the other end of the corresponding lever for tilting the lever.

7. In a device of the class described, a float; levers fulcrumed on the float; means for connecting the levers; a. current-engaging member pivoted to each lever; cams on the levers; tiltable members fulcrumedon the float; elements upon the tiltable members adapted to ride around the. cams; a drive shaft journaled on the float; and mechanism operatively connecting :the tiltable members with the shaft and with the current-engaging members.-

8.1n a device-of the class "described, a float; levers fulcrumed upon the float; means for connecting the levers; a currentengaging member pivoted to each lever; cams on the levers; tiltable members fulcrumed upon the float; elements upon the tiltable members adapted to ride around the cams; a drive shaft journaled on the float; pinions upon the drive shaft; rack bars pivotally connected with the tiltable members and mes-hing into the pinions; and links connecting the rack bars with the currenten ga gin g members.

9. In a device of the classidescribe'd, a float; levers fulcrumed upon the float; means for connecting the levers; a currentengaging member pivoted to each lever; tiltable members fulcrumed upon the float; rack bars pivoted to the tiltable members; a shaft journalcd upon the float; pinions upon the shaft, into which pinions the rack bars mesh; links connecting the rack bars; with the current-engaging members; the tiltable members and the levers being equipped with interengaging/ elements cooperating to secure a swinging of the levers.

10. In adevice of the class described, a float; a drive shaft journaled on the float; pinions upon the drive shaft; rack bars meshing into opposite sides of the pinions; means for holding the rack bars engaged with the pinions; levers fulcrumed upon the float; means for connecting the levers; current-engaging elements I pivotally connected with the levers; means for connecting the currentengaging members with the rack bars; and means operatively connected with the. rack bars for swinging the levers.

11. In a device of the class described, a float; a shaft journaled for rotation onthe float; pinions upon the shaft; rack bars meshing into opposed portions of the pinions; and current-engaging means for actuating the rack bars alternately.

12. In a device of the class described, a float; ashaft journaled for rotation upon the float; a pinion structure mounted upon the shaft; rack bars meshing into opposed portions of the pinion structure; and current engaging means for actuating the rack bars alternately.

13. In a device of the class described, a float; a walking beam fulcrumed upon the float; levers fulcrumed upon the float and connected with the walking beam, currentengaging members pivoted to the levers; and mechanism connecting the current-ea gaging members with the levers :tor swinging the levers alternately and in opposite directions.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FELIX H. CRAGO.

VJitnesses ALENE L, DoLAN, H. L. Snarnn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

